Etihad Airways is expanding its footprint in Pakistan with a new route to Peshawar, aligning with the UAE’s introduction of a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for Pakistani nationals, a move expected to boost travel and tourism ties between the two countries.

Starting September 29, 2025, Etihad will launch direct flights between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar, making it the airline’s fourth non-stop route to Pakistan, after Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

The UAE’s five-year visa, recently announced by Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, is seen as a significant step in facilitating easier travel for Pakistani tourists and families, especially with expanded flight options now in place.

Etihad will operate the Peshawar service with its Airbus A320 family aircraft, offering eight Business Class and 150 Economy seats. The route will begin with five weekly flights and increase to daily service from November 22, 2025.

“We are thrilled to further expand our presence in Pakistan with the launch of our daily service between Abu Dhabi and Peshawar. This new route reflects our commitment to providing vital connectivity for travellers between Pakistan and the Gulf, Africa, Europe, and North America,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

Etihad is also ramping up operations to Karachi, increasing frequency to 17 flights a week starting October 1. The Peshawar launch follows the addition of Addis Ababa to the network and marks Etihad’s 16th new destination in 2025, alongside new routes to Prague, Warsaw, Algiers, Tunis, and Atlanta.

The carrier is also increasing frequencies to major European hubs including Paris, Milan, Manchester, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Madrid.

Dubai has cemented its position as one of the world’s most dynamic wealth capitals, registering a remarkable 102% growth in resident millionaires over the past decade, according to the 2025 edition of the World’s Wealthiest Cities Report by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth.

The emirate has jumped three spots to 18th place in the global Top 50 ranking, making it the biggest climber in the latest report, a testament to its growing appeal among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and global investors.

Dubai is now home to 81,200 millionaires, including 237 centi-millionaires, individuals with investable wealth of over $100 million, and 20 billionaires. This growth places the city ahead of global heavyweights such as Seoul and Geneva and in league with emerging Asian powerhouses like Shenzhen and Hangzhou, which also recorded triple-digit millionaire growth rates.

The report highlights Dubai’s rapid transformation into a global wealth magnet, driven by strategic economic reforms, a pro-business environment, and the absence of income and capital gains taxes. Its status as a lifestyle and investment destination has attracted entrepreneurs, investors, and family offices from Europe, Asia, and, increasingly, the United States.

“Dubai’s meteoric rise is no accident,” said the report’s authors. “It reflects long-term planning, investor-friendly policies, and a concerted effort to position the city as a nexus for global capital.”

Abu Dhabi also features prominently in the report, with 75 resident centi-millionaires and an 80% growth in its millionaire population over the past decade. Together, the UAE’s two leading cities are forecast to see their centi-millionaire populations more than double over the next ten years, reinforcing the country’s growing clout in global wealth circles.

While the United States continues to dominate the list, with New York topping the rankings and the Bay Area in second place, Dubai stands out as the top non-Western performer, ahead of cities like Paris, Toronto, and Melbourne.

The report further signals a global shift, with wealth increasingly concentrated in tech-driven cities and emerging markets. Alongside Dubai, cities like Bengaluru, West Palm Beach, and Scottsdale are also experiencing explosive growth, underscoring a broader decentralisation of wealth.

As the UAE continues to diversify its economy, expand its financial services sector, and attract talent through Golden Visas and business-friendly reforms, Dubai’s status as a global wealth hub appears only set to strengthen.

(Source: www.henleyglobal.com)

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is heading to India, and his visit is expected to open new doors for business and trade between the two countries.

The trip highlights how the UAE and India are working closely together to grow their economies, create jobs, and invest in the future. It comes at a time when business ties between the two nations are stronger than ever, especially after they signed a major trade deal called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022.

Thanks to this deal, trade between the UAE and India reached over $54 billion in 2023. Dubai’s trade with India also grew by nearly $9 billion in just four years. This visit is expected to build on that success.

Sheikh Hamdan’s visit will focus on creating more business opportunities in both countries. He is expected to meet with Indian government officials and business leaders to discuss ways to boost trade, attract investment, and work together on future technologies like artificial intelligence and digital services.

The Crown Prince is known for pushing Dubai to become a top global hub for business, technology, and innovation. His visit to India is part of a larger plan to grow Dubai’s economy and bring in more international partnerships, especially through the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the city’s economy over the next 10 years.

India, with its large population and growing tech industry, offers huge potential for UAE businesses. At the same time, the UAE is becoming a hotspot for Indian companies, entrepreneurs, and investors looking to grow globally.

In simple terms, Sheikh Hamdan’s trip is about building a stronger business friendship between the UAE and India.

(Source: Wam)